1987 Honda VFR400R, 399 cc. Registration number D228 CHG. Fr...

Estimate

£2,000 - £2,500

1987 Honda VFR400R, 399 cc. Registration number D228 CHG. Frame number NC21-1015119. Engine number unknown.
The first generation of VFR400 was the 1986-1987 NC21, which had replaced the VF400F when the Honda VF series was phased out (mainly due to reliability issues with the head and cam chain). This model came in 4 designations, "R", "Z", "K" and a police version with the "P" designation. The "R" model (VFR400R) being the most common. Between the designations multiple colour schemes were also available. The "R" had a full fairing and single headlight. The "Z" model was semi fared (side fairings and belly pan) and had 2 round headlights. The "K" and "P" both had a single round headlight and bar risers to give a more upright riding position.
All designations had a single piece seat for rider and pillion, 3 spoke cast wheels, an aluminium frame with steel rear subframe, and a conventional dual-sided aluminium swing arm with single shock. The clutch was hydraulically actuated and the front left fork featured Honda's TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Circuit) system with adjustable dampening on the right fork. This had 4 stage adjustment on the bottom of the fork. Both forks featured air assist. The engine was a 180° degree crank firing version, and had a rpm redline of 13000rpm on the "R" and "Z", the "K" and "P" had a redline of 14000rpm.
The 2nd generation was the VFR400R NC24, produced for the 1987 and 1988 model years, it was one of the first production Honda motorcycle to utilise an ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swinging arm followed by the third generation, the VFR400R NC30 in 1988.
Restricted to a maximum of 59.8bhp for the Japanese market, these early models were not officially imported into the UK, unlike the successor NC30. Boasting exemplary build quality but at a fraction of the cost, the smaller NCs are among the most collectable classics of recent times.
CHG was imported into the UK in January 1997 and August 1918 it had a front end overall at a cost of some £230 at Track and Road. Our vendor bought it soon afterwards and has replaced both tyres, the battery and had the exhaust collection box restored.
Offered for sale with the V5C, current MOT and the Road and Track receipt, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of these machines.